The Telecommunications and Digital Government Regulatory Authority (TDRA) announced that its procurement team has won the Gold Stevie® Award in the category of Best Procurement Team Supporting Suppliers, as part of the 2021 International Business Awards®. TDRA is thus the first government entity in the region to win such prestigious award aimed at honoring the positive achievements and contributions of organizations and professionals worldwide.
This achievement was a result of a set of development measures and steps taken by TDRA with the aim of improving and strengthening its cooperation with suppliers, where it has been keen to build a sustainable strategic relationship with suppliers and expedite supply operations. To this end, TDRA has reviewed the procurement strategy, negotiated strategic contracts with suppliers and standardized contracts for competitive prices. TDRA has adopted the principle of proactivity in making long-term agreements with suppliers for price fixing, and strengthened the approach of working together with suppliers through digital capabilities, including expanding the e-procurement system scope through smart applications.
Commenting on this milestone, H.E. Mohammad Al Kitbi, Deputy Director General of the Support Services Sector, said: “We at TDRA spare no effort in developing our work mechanisms in accordance with the principle of partnership and achieving common goals. In this context, we are continuously improving processes of our business and competencies of our staff working in support services in general, and the procurement team in particular. The past period has seen exceptional efforts to develop supply operations in accordance with best international standards and practices, under all circumstances, including those witnessed by the world during the last two years, leading to a major disruption in the trade, export and import services sector. TDRA, in collaboration with suppliers, has been able to achieve optimal returns from procurements, ensuring that delivery of top services in the ICT sector.”
Further, TDRA helped establish CIPS MENA in the telecommunications sector, which includes a group of prestigious companies, as well as contributed to establishing and chairing the first youth group in the field of procurement and supply in cooperation with CIPS, aimed at sharing best global practices and knowledge, thereby contributing to the continuous improvement and development of procurement skills. TDRA’s strategy has also focused on developing people and supporting suppliers to ensure sustainable procurement and supply operations. Additionally, TDRA launched the professional program in procurement and supply focusing on developing relevant skills and competencies of fresh graduates.
Previously this year, TDRA had received the Ethical Procurement and Supply Certificate from the Chartered Institute of Procurement & Supply (CIPS). In addition, TDRA won the Best Entity Award in procurement and supply in the "Best Response to Supplier Collaboration during COVID-19" criterion as part of the CIPS Awards. Finally, TDRA was awarded Best Entity for the “Best Procurement Team” and “Best Sustainable Entity in Services & Products” categories within the Best Business Awards (BBA), which is one of the highest awards in the UK.